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Odd Florida tourist attractions

Beyond Mickey Mouse, Universal and the miles of beaches are several other interesting and odd tourist attractions that make Florida famous. It's time to hit the road and check out a few.

Barefoot Mailman Statue at Hillsboro Beach: The barefoot mail route was named because the carriers walked barefoot on the hard sand at the water's edge. The men were known collectively as the Barefoot Mailman. The carriers' route was approximately 68 miles long -- 28 miles by small boat and 40 on foot along the beach.

Bat Tower in Sugarload Key: Built in 1926 by Dr. Charles Campbell, the intent of the bat tower was to create a structure that would act as a roost for bats, so that the bats would eat the local mosquitoes that caused malaria.

Big John in Cape Coral: Big John has stood in front of the plaza that bares his name since 1966. He stands 28 feet tall and weighs 6,000 pounds.

WhimzeyLand, the bowling ball house in Safety Harbor: Using plexiglas sculptures, paintings, bottle trees, recycled material sculptures and bowling balls, the couple who owns the house says it has been a work in progress for over 20 years.

The Bubble Room restaurant and emporium on Captiva Island: The world famous restaurant followed a modest beginning of just a few tables in the front room of the home of the Farqhuarson family. The restaurant has been on its present site since 1979.

The Coral Castle in Homestead: The Coral Castle cost just 10 cents for admission in the 1940s. It is said no one knows exactly how Ed Leedskalnin created the castle between 1923 and 1951, but he carved over 1,100 tons of coral rock into what it is today.

Big Daddy Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala: The museum is spread over several rooms and houses more than 200 quarter milers including, fuel dragsters, stock cars, funny cars and exhibitions cars like the Little Red Wagon.

Gorrie Ice Museum in Apalachicola: John Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in the early 1800s when it was a prominent port of trade, commerce, and shipping in Florida. Gorrie served as postmaster, city treasurer, town councilman, and bank director. Concern for his yellow fever patients motivated Gorrie to invent a method for cooling their rooms. He became a pioneer in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration by inventing a machine that made ice, and received the first U.S. Patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851. A replica of his ice-making machine is on display at the museum, as well as exhibits chronicling the colorful history of Apalachicola.

Hollow Earth Utopia in Estero: Cyrus Teed believed that people lived on the inside of the Earth, according to reports. He called his cult "The Koreshan Unity," and set up a community of several hundred people hoping to grow his city to 10 million followers.

Johnny Donutseed in Lloyd: This 10 to 11 foot statue can be found just south of Interstate 10 on State Road 59. He stands in front of the BP gas station off the highway and carries a cup of coffee and donut.

Jules' Undersea Lodge in Key Largo: Jules' Undersea Lodge is located at the bottom (30 feet) of the Emerald Lagoon in Key Largo Undersea Park. It was originally built as La Chalupa mobile undersea laboratory, the largest and most technically advanced in the world. The Lodge has been completely remodeled to provide guests with approximately 600 square feet of luxury living space for up to six people.

Monkey Jungle in Miami: Monkey Jungle is home to more than 400 primates on 30 acres of land. Most of the 30 species of primates are able to roam free, and it is one of the few protected habitats for endangered primates in the United States and the only one that the general public can explore.

Smallest post office in the United States in Ochopee: The building, once a tool shed for a tomato farm, was converted into the post office after a fire in 1953 destroyed the original Ochopee Post Office located in the Gaunt Company Store.

Pole-vaulting fish in Wakulla Springs: Guests can take a 40 to 60 minute glass bottom boat ride on Wakulla Springs and if they are lucky Henry-the-Pole-Vaulting-Fish may choose to entertain upon request of the captain.

Possum Capital of the United States in Wausau: Found off Interstate 10 and on Highway 77, Wausau celebrates the annual possum festival the first Saturday in August. It seems that during the depression when there was little to eat the abundance of possum in the vicinity allowed people to survive. This monument tells the story.

World's Smallest Police Station in Carabelle: In the early 1960's, Carrabelle's police phone was located in a call box that was bolted to a building at the corner of Highway 98 and Tallahassee Street. On March 10, 1963 the phone booth was moved to its current location on Highway 98. There were a couple of reason for doing so - to protect police officers from the elements, as well as curtail the illegal calls. Unfortunately, the illegal phone calls continued to be a problem and eventually the dial was removed from the phone.

Spongeorama in Tarpon Springs: Founded in 1968, Spongeorama's sponge factory boasts the world's largest selection of natural sea sponges. Guests can visit the Spongeorama museum, or the movie theater to learn more about the history of sponging in Tarpon Springs.

Spook Hill in Lake Wales: Spook Hill is known worldwide for an off phenomenon that many say is haunted. Visitors can park their cars at the bottom of the hill, place it in neutral and see as their car seems to defy gravity and be pushed up to the top of the hill.

Everglades Wonderland Gardens in Bonita Springs: Founded in 1936, the attraction has been a focal point of Bonita Springs since Bill and Lester Piper created the facility to rehabilitate injured animals. The park has remained in the Piper family ever since and has become a place for visitors to enjoy the botanical gardens and see Florida's wildlife.

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